Luxembourg
With regard to the preparations for the elections, we join the Secretary-Gene...
With regard to the preparations for the elections, we join the Secretary-General's call in his report urging the parties concerned to adopt a constructive attitude in order to avoid a deadlock, whose consequences would be severe. More generally, as noted by several speakers this morning, it is important to ensure broad participation and to put in place a credible and transparent electoral mechanism, so as to ensure that the outcome of the elections is widely acknowledged and accepted by the population. In that regard, it is essential that women can safely participate as voters and candidates alike in the upcoming elections.
Human rights is the third, and final, point I would like to address. Let us n...
Human rights is the third, and final, point I would like to address. Let us not forget that Afghanistan is first and foremost a country of more than 30 million people who yearn for a normal life for themselves and their families, including respect of their fundamental rights. In that context, we welcome the important place that is made in the mandate of UNAMA for human rights in general, and for the rights of women and children in particular.